Keep Quilting Rulers Organized With This Easy to Build Stand!
Along with my large collection of sewing and embroidery thread (and great storage for them!), I have several clear plastic rulers for quilting. I prefer keeping these rulers within easy reach while I work, so hanging them up is impractical. Instead, creating a custom stand for the quilting rulers would be much more convenient, allowing me to move it around easily as needed.
I have this glorious piece of wood with a beautiful grain pattern and coloring that I wanted to use. I think it’s poplar but it doesn’t have the yellow tint that poplar normally does. At any rate, it’s perfect for this project!
Materials:
- Scrap of 1×6 (mine is 8 inches long)
- Router with a chamfer bit
- Ruler and pencil
- Table saw or small dado bit (1/4 inch) for a router
Notes About the Project:
- I made my ruler stand with six slots and they are a bit off-center, mainly for stability – add more slots if you need them or if you have a wider piece of wood!
- Sand the piece before and after routing the chamfer, then again after cutting the slots
- I used Teak oil in Greystone on my stand. Danish oil will work just as well, or it can be painted or stained – your choice!
Step One
Thoroughly sand the piece starting with 80 grit and gradually moving down to 220 grit.
Step Two
Mark the position of the slots placing the first slot about 1/2 inch away from the back edge of the board then draw a line 1/4 inch away from the first line for the first slot. The slots are positioned 1/4 inch away from each other.
Step Three
Once the slots are drawn (because it’s easier when the edges are square!) rout a chamfer or rounded edge around each side of the top face of the board. I chose a chamfer because I like the way it looks!
Step Four
Make sure all safety protocols are in place before using the table saw: safety glasses on, hair pinned up and back, hoodie strings tucked in, etc.
Set the blade on your table saw to a 3/8 inch depth and set the fence 1/2 inch away from the blade then make the first pass.
Now, move the fence 1/8 inch away from the blade and make the next pass. Repeat until the slot measures 1/4 inch wide, then move to the next slot.
Because I chose to wing it, my slots are a little wide but that’s ok! I’ll probably need to add a spacer in each slot to get the rulers to stand how I want them. Just don’t wing it like I did…
Once all of the slots have been cut, fold a piece of sandpaper in half and sand the slots.
Finishing
Paint or stain the stand however you wish. I used teak oil with a stain (Watco brand in Greystone <– affiliate link!) and it’s beautiful!
As I mentioned before, my slots are a little wide but the rulers still fit pretty well, and I’m totally happy with the ruler stand!
Have questions about how to make a stand for quilting rulers? Leave a comment below!
